Wootton jumped at the chance to join Posh on loan

Mark Plummer

Scott Wootton reckons every second will count during his time at Peterborough United.

The 19 year-old Manchester United reserve team skipper admits he knew straight away that a temporary switch to the Championship was the right move to make.

Central defender Wootton has travelled to the club’s pre-season training camp in Portugal and will then put pen to paper at the end of July to join United pal Ryan Tunnicliffe here.

Wootton said: “I was on holiday when I got a call from the gaffer at United telling me that Peterborough were interested in taking me on loan.

“He told me to have a think about it but I didn’t really need to. I called him back the next morning and said I wanted to come.

“It was a great honour to be given the captaincy of the reserve team at United. Being given the armband is always a show of respect from the manager and the other players.

“But I don’t think playing in the reserves again next season would benefit me that much. I feel the time is right to come out on loan and I’m sure this will be a great move for me.

“Gaining first-team experience in a league as good and tough as the Championship can only be good for lads like myself and Ryan and I’m sure we’ll make the most of it.”

Wootton and Tunnicliffe are following a tried and tested career path. Promising United youngsters are regularly shipped out on loan to sample the cut and thrust of first-team football.

Wootton knows what life away from Old Trafford is all about after having a short stay at Tranmere Rovers in League One last season. He made seven appearances and scored one goal.

He added: “The aim is to follow in the footsteps of people like Tom Cleverley who have done well on loan. He went to Leicester in League One, Watford in the Championship and Wigan in the Premier League and will probably get some first-team games for United now.

“He is just a normal lad who works hard and is someone for people like myself and Ryan to look up to.”

And Wootton is a young footballer who appears to have a cool head. He continued: “I think I’m pretty calm on the ball which is not always the case with centre-halves.